U.S. Rep. Walter Jones requests hearing on periodical move

Wednesday

Feb 12, 2014 at 12:01 AMFeb 12, 2014 at 2:25 PM

WASHINGTON – Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) has called for a congressional oversight hearing on the United States Marine Corps’ decision to move the Marine Corps Times from front newsstands in commissaries and exchange stores worldwide to a new location where the publication will be more difficult to locate and purchase.

Office of U.S. Rep. Walter Jones Jr., R-N.C.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) has called for a congressional oversight hearing on the United States Marine Corps’ decision to move the Marine Corps Times from front newsstands in commissaries and exchange stores worldwide to a new location where the publication will be more difficult to locate and purchase.

In a letter to House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee Chairman Joe Wilson and Ranking Member Susan Davis, Congressman Jones expressed concern that the decision was made as a “blatant attempt to punish the Marine Corps Times for their articles investigating the questionable actions of the commandant.” The letter went on to request that the Marine Corps make available all documentation surrounding the decision to move the publication.

“This attempt by the Marine Corps leadership to stand in the way of a free and open press is unacceptable,” said Congressman Jones. “The Marine Corps Times is a widely-read publication among members of our armed forces, as it provides them with critical information related to various aspects of their employment and service to our country.”

Congressman Jones also sent a letter to Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Lieutenant General Robert E. Milstead requesting further details regarding the decision to relocate the Marine Corps Times.

Less than two days after Congressman Jones weighed in on the issue, the Marine Corps announced that it has temporarily reversed its decision and will return the Marine Corps Times to its original location in commissaries and exchange stores.

While Congressman Jones welcomes this decision, he remains troubled that Marine Corps leadership has implied an intent to again remove the publication from its prominent store location in the future to create room for “healthier food and beverage choices” and “military literature from the Commandant’s Reading List,” as Assistant Commandant General John Paxton, Jr. has been quoted as saying.

As a result, the congressman believes that a hearing and the production of all documentation on the original decision and the temporary reversal are necessary to prevent this infringement on the First Amendment from occurring again.